Power measurement at radio frequency:
The method of using a dummy load and a voltmeter can be used at radio frequencies upto 500 MHz also. In such a case, the voltmeter and load resistor are usually combined into a sirtgle absorption type power meter as shown in the Fig.
The resistance Rs is so designed that its value remains constant over the entire range of frequencies of interest. The voltmeter is a high "requency meter which is capable of responding to high frequency signals with high accuracy. The power is calculated by using the basic relationship as,
In practice the standard resistors are available which have constant value for frequencies ranging from d.c. to 4 GHz. This type of power meter is used to measure power below 500 MHz only.
To measure power at high frequencies from 500 MHz to 40 GHz two special type of absorption meters are popularly used. These meters are,
Calorimeter power meter
Bolometer power meter
Both these meters use the sensing of heating effects caused by the power signal to be measured.
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